Tulsi Gabbard, 1st Hindu Lawmaker In US Congress, To Marry In April In Vedic Ceremony

Press Trust Of India

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE This Nov. 6, 2012 file photo shows Iraq war veterans Rep.-elect Tulsi Gabbard in Honolulu. Veterans groups say the influx of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in Congress is welcome because it comes at a time when the overall number of veterans in Congress is on a steep and steady decline. In the mid-1970s, the vast majority of lawmakers tended to be veterans. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)

Tulsi Gabbard, the first ever Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, would marry cinematographer Abraham Williams in April in a Vedic ceremony, a media report has said. The marriage will take place in Hawaii.

The second term Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard, 33, had announced her engagement about a month ago. She disclosed the identity of her fiancee in an interview to the local Honolulu Star Advertiser published this week.

"Both Abraham and I are generally kind of private people. He has nothing to do with politics. He's a humble, great guy who doesn't want to be in the limelight, so this is something new to the both of us," Gabbard told the daily newspaper in an interview.

Williams, 26, proposed Gabbard with a 1.17-carat diamond ring when the Congresswoman was visiting Hawaii during Thanksgiving.

This would be Gabbard's second marriage and the first one for Williams.

Gabbard said she would keep her last name after the marriage, which she wants to keep it a low key affair.

Invitation for the wedding are expected to go out this week. which among others include US President Barack Obama.

Williams is a freelance cinematographer who has made some short films and worked on commercial and political advertising campaigns, the daily reported.

While Gabbard's first marriage took place before a justice of the peace with only a few family members in attendance, the daily said this time she is planning a Vedic wedding ceremony in keeping with the couple's Hindu faith.

"For us it's about having a shared sense of spiritual values and what we hold important. We try to live our lives in service to others and God in a way that has a positive impact on others around us. It was something I learned from a young age," Gabbard said.